Electrofluid-pressure switching mechanism.



" PATENTED MAY 9, 1905.

W. J.--BELL. ELECTROPLUID PRESSURE SWITCHING MEGHANISM.

APPLIOATION FILED JAN. 18, 1904.

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No. '789,649- PATENTED MAY 9, 1905.

.W. J. BELL.

ELEGTEOPLUID PRESSURE SWITCHING MEGHANISM;

APPLICATION FILED 51511.16, 1904.

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31 manioc Qvihwmeo illu y @5v Maca? No. 799,649. PATENTED MAY 9, 1995. W. J. BELL. ELEGTEOELUID PRESSURE SWITGEING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.1B, 1904.

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PATENTED MAY 9, 1905.

W. J. BELL. ELEETEOELUID PRESSURE SWITGEINE MEGEANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.18, 1904.

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NiTED STATES Patented May 9, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

WALTER JOEL BELL, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF TO LEON F. MOSS, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

ELECTROFLUlD-PRESSURE SWITCHING NIECHANISIVI.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 789,649, dated May 9, 1905.

Application filed January 18, 1904. Serial No. 189,486.

To @ZZ whom, t 1li/(Ly concern:

Beit known that I, WALTER JOEL BELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electrofluid-Pressure Switching l\/lechanism; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as io will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to an improved railway switching mechanism electrically controlled and employing compressed fluid, preferably air, as the switching medium.

The nature of the invention, the mode of operation, and the resultant advantages are fully set forth in the following detailed description, in connection with which reference zo is to be had to the accompanying' drawings, illustrating the invention in its preferred form, it being understood that various modifications may be made therein without exceeding the scope of the concluding' claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is an elevation of a pneumatic switching mechanism embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view of the electric controller connections. Fig. 3 is a detail view of a bridge-contact forming a part of said connections. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view of the switch for the solenoid-actuator. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view of the switch-tongue and its operating means. Fig. 6 is a detail view showing hand controlled means for throwing the switch-tongue. Fig. 7 is a perspective View of the casing containing the actuating means. Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view of the insulating-block 46 and the hooked connection therewith of the valve-stem 43.

The mechanism hereinafter described is adapted for employment in connection with a straight track and a divergent track to switch a car or train from the former onto the latter, the operation of the mechanism being controlled by the motorman in any suitable or preferred manner, but preferably by manipulating a circuit-closer, which may be the ordinary push-button shown.

Leading from the main trolley-wire 1 is the divergent trolley-wire 2, in which is arranged a circuit-breaker 3, the movable contact of which is engaged by the trolley-wheel 4 after the car or train has traversed the switch and has entered on the divergent track. Suspended from a wire 5 above the car and in the path of a contact 6 on the top of the latter are a number of contacts 77 in the nature of flexible or flexibly-attached rods, wires, cables, chains, or the like, which pendent contacts are normally uncharged, and therefore not dangerous to passing vehicles, and are disposed the proper distance from the switch to effect in the manner presently to be eX- plained the movement of the tongue by the operation of the actuating mechanism. The contact 6, carried by the car, is, as shown in Fig. 3, of bridge form and is of sufficient height and length to insure engagement with the pendent contacts. Leading from the bridgecontact to a push-button 8 is a wire 9, which is normally uncharged. The push-button is located on the car Within easy reach of the motorman, and to one contact of said button is connected a constantly-charged wire l0, leading from the motor-wire 11. The wire 5, to which the pendentcontacts are attached or are connected, leads to the coils of an electrostarting-magnet l2, which,with other magnets and actuating mechanism, is arranged within a casing 13, supported on a post or other u pright adjacent to the switch. In the wire 5 is a handswitch I4 to be used in case of emergency. The magnet 12 is grounded through a wire 15 and is energized by current passing from the charged motorwire ll and wire I0, closed press-button 8, wire 9, bridge-contact 6, pendent contact 7, wire 5, coils of said magnet, and groundwire 15. This energization of the magnet, which is ofr but short duration, occurs when the circuit is closed at 6, 7, and at 8. The maintenance of this starting-circuit is unnecessary, inasmuch as through its operation the working or operating circuit is established, thestartng-circuit being closed by the Inotorman only when it is desired to switch from the main or straight track. The bridgecontact being normally uncharged, the start- 35 the trolley-operated circuit-breaker 3.

I magnet 19, the coils of which are connected by a wire to a contact 21, normally in juxtaposition with the contact 18, the contact 21 being fixed to an insulating-block 22. The contact 18 is connected with the circuit-breaker I5 3 by a constantly-charged wire 23, in which is an emergency-switch 24, and the magnet 19 is grounded through a wire 25, in which are an emergency-switch 26 and a group of lights 27, the balance of the resistance necessary in 2 O a five-hundred-volt current being co mpensated for in the magnet 19. The starting-magnet 12 being energized in the manner above stated, the armature is attracted and raised to bring the contacts 18 21 into engagement,

whereupon current iows from the divergent trolley-wire 2, through the circuit-breaker, wlre 23, contacts 18 21, wire 20, coils of magnet 19, wire 25, and lights 27 to ground. The

magnet 19 being thus energized, the raised position of the armature is maintained after the de'e'nergization of the starting-magnet 12 and the operating-circuit, which is closed at the contacts 18 and 21 and which includes the magnet 19, is maintained until interrupted by The current coming from the trolley wire 2 through the circuit-breaker and wire 23 divides at the contact 21, a portion passing through the wire 2O to the coils of magnet 19, as above seated, and a portion passing through a wire 28 to the compressor-actuator. The actuator may be of any suitable or desired type to effect the operation of the Compressor, and while Ihave shown mechanism including solenoid-magnets for moving the compressor-piston such showing and the following detailed description are not to be regarded as a limitation. Two solenoid-magnets 29 30 are provided, having a fixed yokearmature 31 and a movable yoke-armature 32,

the latter being connected by rods 33 with a head 34 on the lower end of a hollow pistonrod 35, connected to a piston 36. The piston is movable in a vertical cylinder 37, its upstroke being effected by the solenoid-magnets and its downstroke by gravity. In the hollow piston-rod is an-in wardly-opening valve 38, admitting air to the cylinder in the'downstroke of the piston.

39 is a gage to indicate the pressure in the cylinder. In the upper end of the cylinder is an opening to which are connected a cornpressed-air-condueting pipe 40 and an exhaust-pipe 41. A cheek-valve 40 is provided in the passage between the cylinder 37 and the pipe 40, said cheek-valve beingrbelow the valve 42. In the exhaust-pipe is a Valve 42, controlling the exhaust, the valve-stem 43 being connected with the armature to move therewith, whereby the valve is seated to close the exhaust-pipe in the upward movement of the armature to close the operating-circuit. rIhe stem 43 may, as shown, extend centrally through the magnet 29 and yoke-armatures or may extend outside of the same, as preferred. In the preferred connection between the stem 43 and armature 17 the stern is provided at its upper end with a hook 44, engaging a slot 45 in an insulating-block 46, secured to the armature. By this provision the stem does not impede the retracting movement of the armature, the separation of the contacts 18 and 21 occurring in advance of the movement of the stem and valve by the hammer-like action of the armature on the upper hooked end of the stem. Also in the upward movement of the armature the impact of the lower wall of the slot 45 effects a quick seating of the valve slightly in advance of the closing of the circuit at the contacts 18 and 21.

The compressed air conducting pipe 40 leads to the rear end of a cylinder 47 and behind a switch-throwing piston 48 in said cylinder. The piston-rod 49 extends through "the front head of the cylinder and is connected with the switch -tongue 50 in any suitable manner. At the opening in said head for the piston-rod is a stufling-gland 51, employing metallic rings 52. The stuffing-gland is preferably located on the inner side of the cylinder-head to allow of the cylinder being placed against the guard rail. I/Vith such an arrangement the end of the piston-rod alone is exposed. The employment of metallic packing-rings for the gland obviates the necessity of removing the cylinder for repacking the gland. The piston and tongue are retracted by a spring 53, coiled around the piston-rod and interposed between the piston and cylinder-head.

The compressed air may exhaust into the casing for the purpose of ventilation, or it Inay exhaust outside of said casing. l prefer to utilize the exhaust, however, in a novel manner to clear the switch of obstructions, and to this end the exhaust is conducted by a pipe 54 to the tongue-recess 55 in the rail 56, whereby any debris or material accumulating between the tongue and rail is forcibly expelled. Inasmuch as the pipe 54 may become clogged by the freezing of moisture therein or by other cause, I provide the pipe with a by-pass valve 57. To allow of hand-switching, a hand-valve 58 may be provided in the oompressed-air-conducting pipe, as shown.

The wire 28 leads from the contact 21 to a circuit making and breaking device controlling the current to the solenoid-magnets 29 and 30. The device consists of an insulatingplate 59, on which are bearings 60 for a short IOO IOS

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shaft 61, and fixed to the shaft are a curved arm 62 and a contactarm 63, the latter normally engaging a shoulder 64 on a springcontact 65, secured to the plate. 66 is a spring for retracting the shaft and the arms thereon, the spring acting to press the contact-arm 63 against the shoulder 64 and after disengagement to move the arms until the arm 63 is brought against a stop 67 on the plate. The wire 28 is connected with the contact-arm 63, and a wire 68 leads from the spring-contact 65 to the coils of solenoid-magnet 29. The magnets 29 and 30 are connected together by a wire 69, and the magnet 30 is grounded through a wire 70. rl`he spring-contact 65 has lixed thereto an arm 71, which extends into the path of the yoke 72 of the movable armature 32, and in practice when the circuit is closed through the solenoid-magnets the yoke 72 in its upward movement engages the arm 71 and carries the shoulder 64 away from the contact-arm 63, whereupon the circuit previously closed at 63 64 is broken by movement of the arm 63 by the spring' 66, as before stated. The solenoid-magnets being deenergized, the armature 32 and piston 36 descend by gravity, and in the descent the yoke 72 engages the arm 62, which has been brought into its path, and forces said arm and the contact-arm to normal position to again close the circuit through said magnets, it being understood that as the yoke descends the springcontact 65 assumes a position which willcause the rengagement of the arm 63 and shoulder 64 when the yoke strikes the arm 62. The lower or free end of the arm 62 is straight, whereby no further movement of said arm occurs after the yoke has passed the curved portion of the arm, and the yoke may continue its descent without affecting the engagement of the contacts. It will be understood that the rocking movement of the shaft, and consequently the movements of the arms, continues during the maintenance of the operating-circuit and that due to the making and breaking of the circuit through the solenoid-magnets the piston is reciprocated to compress the air in the cylinder 37. The parts are so adjusted as to provide for the closing of the circuit through the solenoid magnets before the armature has reached its lowermost position, whereby a magnetic cushion is provided tov prevent jar and noise which would otherwise occur in the descent of said armature. Still another portion of the current coming through the contact 21 passes by a wire 73 to a fixed contact 74, projecting into a tube'75 within the cylinder 47. Slidable in the tube 75 is a pin 76, the eX- posed head of which is in the path of movement of the piston 48 and is normally pressed outwardly by a coiled spring 77. The pin carries a contact 78, which, with the pin, is insulated from the ground by a block 79. The contact 78 when engaged by the piston 48 is grounded through said piston and track-rail.

In the wire 73 are an emergency-switch 8O and a group of lights 8l, the purpose of which is to signal the thrown position of the switch and to reduce the voltage passing through the solenoid-magnets. One or more lights may be employed, according to the voltage required. If the switch-tongue is unobstructed in its movement, the piston 48 at the end of its stroke engages and forces inwardlythe pin 76, and by the engagement of the contacts 78 and 74 a circuit is established through the wire 73 and lights 81, through said contacts and through the pin 7 6, piston 48, and trackrail to ground. lf movement of the switchtongue is obstructed by a rock or the like entering between it and the rail, movement of the piston 48 is prevented and the light-circuit is not established; nor will thellight-signal be displayed until the obstruction is removed and the full stroke of the piston is obtained. The spring-pressed pin 76 further serves as a buffer to relieve the piston 48 and contact-tongue of` undue strain, and by this provision the switch-tongue is prevented from forcibly striking the rail and throwing up water, slush, or other material that may accumulate between the tongue and rail.

rlhe casing 13 is preferably constructed to permit of its several portions being unfolded, whereby access to the mechanism which is fixed tothe back 82 is readily obtained. rlhe sides 83 83 are hinged to the back, and the upper ends of the sides are inclined to give a pitch to the top 84 when the latter is lowered. The top is provided with cleats 86 87, against which the sides and hinged front or door 88 are folded, hooks 89 on the sides engaging eyes 90 on the top to fasten these parts together. rlhe sides and door are folded against the foldable bottom 91, a bolt passed through holes 92 in the sides and hole 93 in the bottom, together with nuts screwed on said bolt, serving to fasten together the sides and bottom.

From the foregoing it will be understood that the push-button circuit-closer is manipulated only when the car is to take the divergent track. lhe push-button being pressed, the starting-circuit is closed to elevate the armature 17 and close the operating-circuit. The compressor is then operated, and when sufficient air-pressure is created the piston 48 is moved to throw the switch, in which movement the light-signal is displayed. After the car has entered the divergent track the trolley-wheel engages the circuit-breaker and the operating-circuit is broken and the parts return to their normal positions.

I claim as my invention 1. In a railway switching mechanism, the combination of a main trolley-wire, a divergent trolley-wire, a circuit-breaker in the divergent wire, an operating-circuit connected with the circuit-breaker, a starting-circuit for effecting the closing of the operating-circuit IOC said starting-circuit including pendent contacts independent of the trolley-wire, a contact on the car adapted to engage one of said pendent contacts, and a manually-operated circuit-closer on the car connecting a constantly-charged wire with a Wire leading to the car-contact.

2. In combination, a contact carried bya car said contact being charged at will, a series of uncharged contacts extending into the path of the car-contact, and a wire leading from said uncharged contacts.

3. In combination, a contact on the top of a car said contact being of bridge form and arranged to be charged at will by the manipulation of a circuit-closer on the car, a series of pendent flexible contacts independent of the trolley-wire and arranged to be engaged by the car-contact, and a wire leading from said pendent contacts.

4. In an electrofiuid -pressure switching mechanism, the combination with an electromagnet, a contact, an' armature arranged to be attracted by said magnet, and carrying a contact vfor engagement with the aforesaid Contact, a compression-chamber, a Valve controlling the exhaust therefrom, and a valvestem connected with the armature in a manner permitting the separation of the engaged contacts in advance of the opening movement of the valve by movement of the armature.

5. In an electrofiuid pressure switching mechanism, the combination with an electromagnet, a contact, an armature at said magnet carrying shoulders, a contact on the armature for engagement with the aforesaid contact, a compression-chamber, a valve controlling the exhaust therefrom` and a valvestem moved by successive engagements there- With of the shoulders on the armature.

6. In an electroiiuidpressure switching mechanism, the combination with an electromagnet, a contact, an armature at said magnet said armature having a slot, a contact on the armature for engagement with the aforesaid contact, a compression-chamber, a valve controlling the exhaust therefrom, and a valve-stem having its upper end hooked in said slot.

7. Inafluid-pressure switching mechanism, a compression-chamber, a switch-tongue, a rail having a recess for said tongue, and a pressure-exhaust pipe leading to and discharging at said recess.

8. Inaluid-press'ure switching mechanism, a compression-chamber, a switch-tongue,a rail having a recess for said tongue, a pressure-exhaust pipe leading to and discharging at said recess, and an automatic safety-valve in said pipe.

9. In aiiuid-pressure switching mechanism,

a switch -tongue, .a cylinder having an inwardly-extending gland, metal packing for said gland, a piston in the cylinder, and a rod connecting the piston and tongue.

10. In a fluid-pressure switching mechanism, a switch-tongue, a Huid-pressure cylinder, a piston in the cylinder, a rod connecting the piston and tongue, a spring-pressed pin in the path of the piston and carrying a contact, a contact in the path of the aforesaid contact, and an electric-light circuit closed by the engagement of said contacts.

11. In a Huid-pressure switching mechanism, a switch-tongue, a fluid-pressure cylinder, a piston in the cylinder, a rod connecting the piston and tongue` a spring-pressed buffer-pin, arranged to be struck by the piston in its movement to throw the tongue, a contact carried by said pin, a contact in the path of the aforesaid contact, and an electric-light circuit closed by the engagement of said contacts.

12. In an electrofiuid-pressure switching mechanism, a fluid-compressor, a solenoid- Inagnet including a movable yoke-armature, a spring-contact having an arm, a movable spring-pressed contact normally in engagement with the spring-contact, and an arm fixed to the movable contact, said arms being alternately engaged by the armature to make and break the solenoid-magnet circuit.

13. In an electroiiuid-pressure switching mechanism, a fluid-compressor, a solenoidmagnet actuator for said compressor, said actuator including a movable yoke-armature, a spring-contact having a shoulder and carrying an arm, a spring-retracted rock-shaft, a contact on the shaft normally engaging the shoulder on the aforesaid contact, and an arm extending from the shaft and having a curved and a straight portion, said arms being alternately'engaged by the armature to make and break the solenoid-magnetl circuit.

14. In an electrofluid-/pressure switching mechanism, a casing for the actuator, compressor and electrical controlling devices, said casing having a back on which the said parts are supported, sides hinged to the back and having inclined upper ends, a top hinged to the back and foldable over the upper ends of the sides, a front or door hinged to one of the sides, a bottom hinged to the back, a securing-rod passed through the sides and bottom, and devices for fastening' the sides and top together.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WALTER JOEL BELL.

Witnesses:

RALPH HAMLIN, C. E. ALLYN.

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